Playing for Keeps is a cute story about second chances in a small town.
Bryce and Jake's friendship has the potential for great chemistry, but their road to romance lacked sparks. The book had some moments that made me smile, but overall I didn’t find the connection to be realistic. However, this is only my opinion.
I would recommend it to fans of friends to lovers and second chances should give this a try.

When Bryce Barrett is passed over for a promotion she feels was rightly hers, she leaves Chicago for small town Wakernagel to the house she once shared with her ex-husband, but which she was granted in the divorce. There she lives on Cheetos but never seems to have enough ice cream on hand which means she has to go to the resort ice cream shop in emergencies. There she meets security guard, Jake Warner, who is called because people presumed that Bryce was homeless and a possible threat. In a separate emergency ice cream run, Bryce tries to hide from her ex- and his new model-esque girlfriend but when her ex- sees her, she says that Jake is her boyfriend. And, thus, a fake romance is begun in Julie Hammerle’s Playing for Keeps.

I have been a fan of Hammerle’s YA romances but have to say that this venture into adult romance is not quite as satisfying. Both Bryce and Jake are dealing with issues. While I’m not quite certain that Bryce’s issues are ever fully explained (it seems extremely dramatic to go off the mental deep end when being passed over for partnership, even if it was deserved; it could have been that it was intended to be humorous, and, if so, it wasn’t), Jake is dealing with Peter Pan syndrome as well as the suicide of his friend.

At the beginning, Bryce is living in squalor with garbage everywhere and she tosses garbage bags into her basement instead of taking them to the trash, which accounted for my very first yikes. While, with Jake’s help, she does manage to clean up her act–literally–this set a tone that was pretty hard to get over.

As far as Jake, initially he comes across as being a nice normal guy, but in two scenes with his father–his father who just had a heart attack, mind you–he’s a complete jerk. No. No. He’s an asshole. He’s an asshole many times, exemplifying traits I just don’t care to read about–even if he does manage to change at the end. At what point is it too little, too late?

Also falling into the unlikeable category is Jake’s sister who is manipulative and believes that her role in the universe is to procreate (she would have a hundred if she could, which scored another “yikes.”). Just the thought of dozens of her mini-mes with careless attitudes running around gives me the shudders.

At this point, you’re probably wondering exactly what I did like about Playing for Keeps. Well, I liked Rita, the new girlfriend of Bryce’s ex-. She is a sweet, caring person as well as savvy. I liked Jake’s dad who years ago learned and grew from his mistakes, creating an admirable sports system. I would have liked Bryce’s character more if more thought had gone into why she had a complete meltdown. She seems like a strong, competent person, normally, that more context should have been given.

Playing for Keeps had a lot of possibility but didn’t seem to have a clear idea of what genre it really wanted to be.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This story just did not do it for me. I really tried to get into the chemistry between Jake and Bryce and struggled to see it. Hoping for a light hearted rom-com, this wasn't much to laugh about and the baggage just continued to drag. Hammerle's "It's Raining Men" was super fun and that was really the vibe I was hoping to read from her.

Thank you to Entangled Publishing for allowing the ARC for an honest review.

Bryce is the very definition of Hot Mess Express. After her divorce and being passed over for a promotion at her law firm, she's moved into a house in a small down where she's embraced the feral life: no job, no responsibilities, very little interaction with society.

This plan goes a bit awry when her unkempt appearance and beaver slippers (no, not a euphemism) alarm the residents of her community and security is called on her.

Enter Jake, temporary security guard and constant couch hopper. He's only in town long enough to pay back a debt to his family then he'll be back on the road. He's strangely drawn to Bryce and her messiness, and the two develop a friendship that might lead to something more.

Playing for Keeps was a cute story about second chances. It had small town appeal and some genuinely funny moments.

Bryce and Jake had the potential for a huge amount of chemistry, but I just didn't feel it. Their interactions were a bit stilted and their road to romance lacked sparks

Fans of friends-to-lovers stories will love the premise.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Bryce quit her job after she was looked over for a promotion, and now she is living in a small Midwest town. When she is out for one of her ice cream trips, she runs into her ex-husband and his girlfriend. To save face, she pretends the security guard, Jake is her boyfriend.
Free-spirited nomad Jake Warner knew returning to his hometown was a bad idea. It’s bad enough that his family wants him to stay back in town, now a complete stranger wants to make him her fake boyfriend.
Jake and Bryce have issues, they are both running away from realities of life and for me that’s what made them perfect for each other . In trying to maintain a fake relationship, real feelings creep in and they force them to face their insecurities. Playing for Keeps was a heartwarming read. I enjoyed the funny and weird moments between the characters. Overall it was a cute read.

Playing for Keeps by Julie Hammerle

Published: May 8, 2023
Entangled: August
Pages: 275
Genre: Romantic Comedy
KKECReads Rating: 5/5
I received a copy of this book for free, and I leave my review voluntarily.

Julie Hammerle (she/her) is a USA Today best-selling, RITA nominated author, who writes romantic comedies for adults and teens. Before settling down to write "for real," she studied opera, taught Latin, and held her real estate license for one hot minute. She lives in Chicago with her husband and her two kids and a dog.

“I’m totally ready.”

Jake has spent the last ten years traveling the country. He has climbed mountains, scuba-dived, and maintained a no-commitment life. When he needs dental surgery, he is forced to call his parents for help, and they make moving home part of the deal. Bryce abandoned her life after being passed over for a promotion she deserved. Now, she is divorced, jobless, and avoiding all responsibility. She just wants to eat ice cream and watch TV. Who knew that two scoops and a pair of beaver slippers could lead to romance?

This was such a sweet story. I devoured this book. I liked the pacing and the humor. There was just enough spice, but mostly I loved the relationship between Bryce and Jake.

The way they came together and were so open and honest was beautiful. How they helped each other heal and realize they deserved more was powerful.

I loved Bryce’s personality. She was not afraid to be a hot mess, and she wasn’t scared to be a brilliant lawyer. I liked Jake’s loyalty and how his journey unfolded.

This was such a charming read. The characters were all so fun, and the plot was swoon-worthy!

Playing for Keeps is a sweet romance story full of drama, baggage, and shenanigans. Jake and Bryce are both working through real life situations that are easily relatable, though I strongly loathed Jake's family. However, both were easy to root for!

I received an advance copy. All thoughts are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the Advance Readers Copy of Playing for Keeps.

I enjoyed reading Playing for Keeps. It is a fun fake relationship story between Bryce, a disgraced Chicago lawyer hiding out at the weekend home in Wackernagel she won in her recent divorce and Jake, a former resident and basketball star of Wackernagel. Bryce runs into her ex while looking like something the cat dragged in and grabs the nearest guy, who happens to be Jake, who works as a security guard for the resort and had been called to investigate the vagrant looking woman, and introduces him as her boyfriend. Jake is so concerned about Bryce's appearance that he checks in on her at home later that night and they agree to the fake dating plan and he begins to befriend her and help her out of her slump.

My issue with Playing for Keeps is Jake. His angst and cold feet made me hate him by the end. At the beginning he seems like a great guy and his concern for Bryce is heartfelt. But he is so hot and cold with her that I was unwilling to forgive him as much as Bryce was.

I think the book deals well with some heavier issues than you would typically find in a romance novel. The book deals with them well; Jake does not.

I think this is my favorite Julie Hammerle book so far. A fake dating story of Bryce and Jake, but as with all good fake dating stories, what will happen when their feelings get involved. I liked how it was told from both points of view. Looking forward to more books from this author.

I have to say I've been reading a lot of fantasy lately, a lot of dark and thriller-type books, and this book was the perfect book to break that pattern.

If you love characters that are real, that have problems, that don't know how to fix the situation they're in without some scheme that seems like it belongs on a 50s sitcom this is the book for you.

I felt for our characters, a lot of us have been passed over for the job, owed someone for one thing or another, or just did not have a direction we wanted to go in and wished we could saunter into town in pajama pants and slippers for ice cream and escapism.

Bryce and Jake don't seem like they would make a good couple, she's driven and has a plan (until the mayor's nephew steps in that is), and he just wants to get out from under his family and become his own man so what are these two going to do?? Fake date of course.

Through ups and downs, I was either crying or laughing, sometimes both with this one, some topics hit so close to home and some made me think about what I'd do, through it all though this is just a really enjoyable book, if I could give it 4.5 stars I would.

Thank you to Entangled and NetGalley for providing a copy of this ebook, I have voluntarily read and reviewed it and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Bryce Barrett is going through a midlife crisis after a split from her ex and her job, barely mustering the interest to shower, clean, or change out of her favorite sweats and beaver slippers. But when she runs into her ex and his new beautiful girlfriend, she panics and claims to be in a relationship with the security guard she's only spoken to once. Confused by this possibly unhinged hot mess claiming to be his girlfriend, Jake nevertheless goes along with it. It will make a good cover to get his overbearing family off his back until he can make enough money to escape his small hometown again. Neither one expected the chemistry between them and each have issues to work through. Can they really make this fake relationship real?
I liked how relatable both main characters were and felt sympathy for their issues and how they dealt with them. But in the end, the resolution just felt rushed and much too simple to be realistic. I love the cover though which is what drew me to this book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The cover says “rom-com” and Playing for Keeps is…but. But, there is more, as a good novel and a good romance is. Because, yes, this is a fake romance, one of my favorite tropes, and written by the author that got me over my “but I don’t read romances, but I’ll read yours” with her book “Knocked-up Cinderella”.

The basic story of this one begins withBryce trying to save face by claiming that the security guard, Jake, that had come to make her move on, because she was dressed in dirty clothes and beaver slippers, is actually her latest boyfriend, when she runs into her ex, and his oh-so-perfect looking new girlfriend, because of course that is something you do.

The story could have remained at that level, but we find out why the two of them are in this small podunk town in a flyover state, when they could be, and have been anywhere else.

And I actually like that this goes that deep, and we find out the inner hurt that is driving Jake to take on low level jobs, such as being a security guard, and why Byrce, though she was a big city lawyer, is now eating ice cream in her slippers and sweats, in the middle of a workday.

If you want a light romance, this isn’t quite it. But if you dont’ mind getting over pain from friends committing suicide, and workaholics realizing there is more to life, then this book might be for you. And though there is witty banter, and playfulness, one of the main themes of the book is mental health.

Thanks to Netgally for making this book available for an honest review. This book came out May 8th, 2023.

DNF
I'm not one to dnf books but this one I just could not get into. The story did not draw me in. ARC provided by publisher through NetGalley.

Oh, my beaver slippers! This is a short romantic read that will have you rooting for our MCs all while they tackle their life struggles AND fake dating each other 🙈 I didn’t think a book could have the ultimate meet cute, but this one blew that expectation out of the water when we have Jake, our MMC, basically “arresting” (giving a warning as he is a security guard) to Bryce, our FMC, as she leaves an ice cream parlour wearing beaver slippers 🦫
I don’t want to give away TOO much (this book is a short read, so you’ll have it done in no time), but basically, Bryce is recently divorced. After some troubling things with her jobs, she goes to the house that she earned during her divorce, which happens to be in this cute little community where everyone knows everyone (LITERALLY). Jake left this small town hoping to travel the world, but when he encounters some money trouble, he is forced to return to his loving but very overbearing family.
Things go down (I mean, obviously), and these two make a deal to be in a fake relationship with one another. In true fake-dating fashion, they start to have feelings for one another, but things go awry… And with that, I’m going to leave it up to you to pick this up and get the answers! Also, the epilogue is the cutest, and I totally squealed at the “callback” 🦫
Overall, I’m recommending this to all the romance readers out there, or really anyone that is in the mood for a cute (yet heartbreaking) quick read that will have you rooting for them to JUST KISS DAMMIT by the end 💕

This book just wasn’t for me. Both characters down on their luck decide to fake date for mutual beneficial reasons. I didn’t warm to the characters right away and had just an okay time reading it. It’s an easy read tho!

Thank you NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the ARC.

This was an entertaining, well-written book. It was fun, fast-paced and kept me reading. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others.

Fake dating is a fave trope of mine, so I knew I wanted to check this book out.

The characters at the heart of this story are Bryce and Jake. They’ve both been running away from their problems and decide to fake a relationship to make things a little easier for them. Of course it’s not that simple and they wind up falling in love.

I enjoyed how both of them weren’t perfect. They had their issues and really grew over the course of the book.

Thanks as always to NetGalley for the ARC.

Both Jake and Bryce have hit rock bottom in their life. Due to life circumstances, they have given up their ambition and just drive to live in reality and just live aimlessly. When an ice cream incidence brings them together and an ex- that leads to a fake relationship, Jake and Bryce learn that there is more to life that setbacks and unfortunate circumstances.

What I love about this story is that it showcases the raw hopelessness of losing faith in yourself and how to find your way back again. Julie does an excellent job at making the characters so real that I cheered for both of them when they succeed and found happiness. Also I just love that ultimately they find that people around them have been trying to uplift them and love them until they could love themselves again.

Overall this is the most ridiculously cute, heartwarming, and tear-jerking romance of the month!
TBR this book NOW! This is my first book by Julie Hammerle and it won't be my last. Thank you entangled publishing and Riki for giving me the opportunity to read this gem for an honest review. Entangled publishing is hitting it out the park with every book I have read published by them! I cannot wait to get my own finish copy.

I really liked this. It has a unique setup I haven’t seen before and it’s wry but not depressing. The characters feel real and genuine, like we all know people like this. Their struggles are relatable especially Bryce’s. Whom amongst us has not wanted to rage quit over a situation and a person like this. I also liked that the ex-husband and new girlfriend did not fall into the trope of being genuinely awful people—it’s so much more interesting when it’s hard to hate someone you’re supposed to despise. This was just a cute and fun read.

NetGalley gave me a copy for my review. It’s also publishing day for this book so go get it!

On the rebound from a divorce, Bryce moves to the house in Wackernagel, Illinois. There, she decides not to do what she doesn't want to. While out for ice cream (and wearing her ex's old clothes), she meets Jake, the security guard for a resort after he'd been summoned to remove her from the premises. Though his life is falling apart, he attempts to help her.
Opinion
My first thought was that Bryce is a hot mess and Jake isn't much better. I was worried she was a hoarder and Jake would have to fix that. As the story progressed, I became enamored with these two. They were simply made for each other and were able to lift the other up from their faults.
This book was a really fun read. I would recommend this for any vacation read or even just to escape reality for a while.
Many thanks to Net Galley and to Entangled Publishing for providing me with an ARC of this book.